Free support available from Birmingham City Council

Birmingham Children’s Partnership: From Birmingham with Love

We’ve all been through a tough time with Covid-19 and lockdown. For many families it doesn’t get easier during the summer holidays, which is why we’re here to help. Here are some of our partners’ most used services and support, which might make life a little bit easier…

1. Online parenting course. We’ve pre-paid for every parent in Birmingham to access a parenting course. Just enter the access code “COMMUNITY” at the top of the page to claim. There are courses for parents, carers and grandparents of children from bump to 19. Learn about how your child develops, and get tips to manage their behaviour.
2. Mental health support. In these difficult times we have to look after our mental health. For young people aged 11-25 there are forums, guides and counselling available at Kooth. If your child 0-25 needs support, get in touch with Pause by calling 0207 841 4470 or email. Adults can get support from MIND by calling 0121 262 3555. Or for urgent help call Forward Thinking Birmingham on 0300 300 0099.
3. Financial help. If you’ve lost your job, or are struggling for food or rent there are services that can help. Local welfare provision can make a big difference if you are in a crisis and need food, fuel or basic white goods. Discretionary Housing Payments may be able to help with rent. And there are food banks across Birmingham that are here to help.
4. Domestic abuse. For women and children affected by domestic abuse please see guidance or confidentially contact Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid. For Men, please contact Respect.
5. Problems with drugs or alcohol. A new, discrete app called Staying Free is available on Android or Apple. Use the code “birmingham11” for pre-paid access. To speak to someone call Change Grow Live.
6. Bereavement support. It’s a terrible time to lose a loved one — you can get help by calling 0121 687 8010 or from Cruse.
7. Early help for families. If anyone in your family needs more help, from public services or community groups, then please contact our voluntary sector local leads. We have ten areas which can connect you to support across the city.

If you are worried about a child, please call Birmingham’s Children's Advice and Support Service on 0121 303 1888. In an emergency, including child abuse, contact the Police on 999. You can also chat to the Police.

Family Connect Referral

Some families need support from more than one professional. Birmingham Children's Partnership connect and work together to support families, continuing to build relationships and supporting a range of needs of all family members.

• Family Connect Referral - information
  You can find guidance and an example of a completed referral here to help you

• Family Connect Referral
  The school can make a referral for you and your family, or you can make one on your own behalf if you would like further support.

Parenting Smart (Place2Be) The children's mental health charity, Place2Be, has launched a new website aimed at helping parents with typical situations they can find themselves in with their children. Advice can be found on over forty topics including: Understanding sibling rivalry  My child is lying, what does it mean, what should I do? My child has trouble going to sleep My child says ‘I hate you!’ Cultural identity: who am I? The Parenting Smart website can found here:

• Parenting Support

Government advice for parents and carers when choosing out of school care:

The guidance is intended to help parents and carers choose a safer out-of-school setting for their child.

The guidance covers:

• community activities
• after-school clubs
• supplementary schools
• tuition
• music lessons
• sports training

• other activities for children that take place without their parents’ or carers’ supervision, that are not a:

  • school
  • college
  • 16 to 19 college
  • provider caring for children under 8 years old registered with Ofsted or a childminder agency

The Birmingham Children's Partnership Offer

Help for all families and children in Birmingham - help with food, finances, parenting, drug and alcohol abuse, bereavement, domestic violence and mental health.

Early Help Support for Families available from Birmingham City Council

Finding help local to you

Dog Safety

• Dog Safety
  Leaflet from the RSPCA outlining ways for children to stay safe around dogs

• Dog Safety advice
  Blue Cross guidance on children visiting homes with dogs and staying safe generally

NHS Mental Health Support during Lockdown

0-18 year olds

7 days a week (10am-6pm):

• 0207 841 4470
• askbeam@childrenssociety.org.uk

Support for Key workers

7 days a week (9am-11pm):

• 0121 663 1217

• Safety Advice for Parents re Private Tutors

Local help available

Further information about NHS mental health support during Lockdown for all ages

• The Waiting Room
  The Waiting Room is a key website which signposts you to the services available in Birmingham and Solihull. This includes a wide range of community support services.

• NSPCC
  Wide range of resources and information available to support parents and children.

Mental Health and Well-Being Websites

• Young Minds
  Information and support material for parents related to mental health, well-being and responding to abuse

• Action for Happiness
  This website includes 10 keys for happier living, and a monthly calendar of actions for happiness that you could try.

• Action for Children
  Advice and support for parents on how to encourage children's well-being.

• NHS guide to mental health services
  Guidance about mental health services that are available.

• Forward Thinking Birmingham
  Mental health support and counselling for children, includes information about their drop in centre "Pause" in Digbeth.

Children at risk of sexual abuse:

Lucy Faithful Foundation Helpline:

Talk to us if you’re worried about child sexual abuse

Our confidential child sexual abuse prevention helpline (0808 1000 900) is available for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse. Callers do not need to give identifying information, so can remain anonymous. We speak to thousands of people every year, and help them act to protect children and young people from sexual abuse and exploitation. If you’re not ready to speak to someone yet, you can get confidential support through our live chat and secure messaging service. The Lucy Faithful Foundation have also created 12 short films for parents and carers which can be accessed here. Domestic Violence and Abuse Government advice about domestic abuse during lockdown Includes signposts for support Refuge Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid Information and support for women and children affected by domestic violence and abuse. Relate Birmingham Includes information about relationship and family counselling and support. Solace Women's Aid Information and Support Support if you are worried about hurting someone 0808 802 4040 If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be an abuser, there is support available. Respect is an anonymous and confidential helpline for men and women who are harming their partners and families. The helpline also takes calls from (ex)partners, friends and relatives who are concerned about perpetrators. Modern Slavery Modern slavery is a harmful and hidden crime and its victims may be especially isolated and hidden from view during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Help and support is available for victims of modern slavery. This guidance sets out what modern slavery is, how to recognise the indicators of modern slavery and how to refer suspected cases of modern slavery to the appropriate services. Worries about terrorism or terrorist attacks Talking to children about terrorism Resources and advice for parents NSPCC Advice for parents on protecting children from radicalisation Childline Resource for children about their worries about the world Educate Against Hate Advice for parents on how to support children trying to understand terrorist attacks PSHE - Primary schools resource Resource to use in schools to support discussion of terrorist attacks